Instructor Insights: Important considerations when buying a lens:

"When you consider buying a lens, consider the factors carefully. Lenses with smaller maximum lens apertures are cheaper and lighter to carry. But - you will miss getting sharp pictures in many situations."

Photography isn't a cheap hobby. Going digital has helped a lot - now, we've only got to buy the kit... and memory cards, more lenses, better flash units, tripods, camera bags, more memory cards, spare memory cards, some more lenses, filters, cleaning gear, a spare (backup body), image editing software... the list goes on.

When it comes to buying lenses, you really do get what you pay for. Sure, it's not hard to find cheap lenses on ebay - I know, I have a couple myself. They'll do, for a while at least, but you'll end up being rather dissatisfied with them. I know I am, with mine. I knolw I'll need to upgrade these, once I have the available green to pay the quality premium.

I'm sure it'll be worth it, but as I said - not a cheap hobby!